How to play Apple Music and Beats 1 on Sonos

Built-in Sonos support for Apple Music is coming sometime before the end of the year. In the meantime, here's what you can do.

According to both Apple and Sonos, full on, proper Apple Music support is coming as soon as possible, which means sometime before the end of the year. Why it's going to take that long is a secret only licensing deals can likely tell. All we, the customers of both companies, can do for now is work around the limitations as best we can. In this case, the workaround involves an Apple TV or an Airport Extreme, and AirPlay.

Why do I need an Apple TV or AirPort Extreme to AirPlay to Sonos?

Sonos doesn't currently support AirPlay directly. Neither Apple nor Sonos have said why, but speculation includes technical incompatibility at the Wi-Fi chipset level, and licensing that prevents AirPlay being used on multi-room, or potentially multi-room system. (Because that's considered "rebroadcasting".)

Whatever the reason, unless and until something changes, the reality is we need something from Apple in between, and the options are an Apple TV or an AirPort express.

How much is an Apple TV and how would it work?

You can pick up an Apple TV for US$69 or less right now. It works with a Sonos Playbar.

Just plug the Sonos Playbar into the Apple TV via optical cable and then AirPlay Apple Music or Beats 1 to the Apple TV the same way you would for any audio or video content. (See below.)

(This is the setup I use, along with a Sonos Sub and a pair of Play:3 speakers for surround sound.)

Of course, it's terrific for TV and home cinema as well.

What about an AirPort Express?

You can also pick up an Apple AirPort Express router, which works with Play:5, Connect, or Connect Amp.

Just plug the Play:5, Connect, or Connect Amp into the AirPort Express with a standard RCA audio cable and then Airplay Apple Music or Beats 1 to the AirPort Express the way you would any other audio content. (See below.)

Okay, I have an Apple TV or AirPort Express hooked up to Sonos, how do I use AirPlay?

Easily, and from right inside the Music app!

Tap on the track information button, or swipe up from, the mini player to access Now Playing.
Tap on the AirPlay button, middle right.
Tap on the source you want to AirPlay to.

You can also do it with Control Center, if you prefer:

Swipe up from the bottom bezel to bring up Control Center.
Tap the AirPlay button, middle right.
Tap on the source you want to AirPlay to.

Anything else I can try?

There's AirSonos, but it requires a visit to GitHub and the Terminal. If that's your thing, we'll get up a separate walkthrough to help you out.

You realize how convoluted that all sounds?

Yes, sure, absolutely. Again, direct Apple Music support will be coming to Sonos by the end of the year. (And hopefully direct AirPlay can be figured out as well).

In the meantime, this works, and has the added benefit of letting you play any audio you from iPhone or iPad to your Sonos system, including your favorite podcast apps, even random video sources.